Montreal: With Canada-China coproduction relations in the deep freeze, a recent visit to Canada by two high-profile People’s Republic of China delegations is seen as the hoped for first step in a mutually beneficial thaw.

With a goal of revitalizing the existing film and tv treaty, a second Shanghai delegation, with representatives from the Shanghai TV Festival, is slated to return to Canada in September.

The benefit of a fall meet was clearly established this month when a five-person Beijing-government-based delegation headed by Yang Buting of the ministry of radio, film and tv’s Film Bureau and high officials with the China Film Development Fund, the state department and ministry of finance, met with representatives of the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, as well as with Telefilm and the nfb staff at the Banff Television Festival, and sodec officials in Montreal.

A second six-person Shanghai-based group headed by Chen Xiao Meng, director, Shanghai TV Festival Office, also met with many industry players at Banff, mainly on the tv side.

‘They are sort of feeling things out as we get closer to the countdown here,’ says Suzan Ayscough, Telefilm’s director of communications, festivals and public affairs.

China d’es not invest directly in coproductions but offers a wide range of production and location services and personnel. The minimum investment for coproduction is 15%.

Canadian Heritage and Telefilm hosted the Chinese delegation at Banff.